Bearing retainer for a power tool

Abstract

A power tool includes a motor housing and a motor supported within the motor housing. The motor includes an output shaft defining an axis. The power tool also includes a bearing configured to support the output shaft for rotation about the axis, an end cap removably coupled to the motor housing, and a bearing retainer integrally formed with the end cap. The bearing retainer is configured to axially and radially secure the bearing to the end cap.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A power tool comprising:
 a motor housing; 
 a motor supported within the motor housing, the motor including an output shaft defining an axis extending in a front to rear direction of the power tool; 
 a fan coupled for co-rotation with the output shaft; 
 a bearing configured to support the output shaft for rotation about the axis; 
 an end cap removably coupled to a rear end of the motor housing and including an aperture through which the bearing is accessible; 
 an end plate removably coupled to a rear side of the end cap and configured to cover the aperture when the end plate is coupled to the end cap; and 
 a bearing retainer integrally formed with the end cap, the bearing retainer configured to axially and radially secure the bearing to the end cap, 
 wherein the bearing retainer includes a first wall engaging a radial side of the bearing to radially secure the bearing and a second wall engaging a front side of the bearing to axially secure the bearing, and 
 wherein the second wall is integrally formed with the end cap as a single piece. 
 
     
     
       2. The power tool of  claim 1 , wherein the fan includes a recess in which the bearing retainer is at least partially received such that the bearing retainer and the bearing overlap the fan in a radial direction of the output shaft. 
     
     
       3. The power tool of  claim 1 , wherein the end cap includes a receptacle, and wherein the end plate includes a resilient tab insertable into the receptacle to provide a snap-fit that removably couples the end plate to the end cap. 
     
     
       4. The power tool of  claim 1 , wherein the end plate includes indicia. 
     
     
       5. The power tool of  claim 1 , wherein the bearing is insert molded within the bearing retainer. 
     
     
       6. The power tool of  claim 1 , further comprising a gear assembly including a plurality of helical planet gears, wherein the output shaft includes a helical pinion meshed with the helical planet gears such that rotation of the output shaft produces an axial force on the output shaft that is resisted by the bearing retainer. 
     
     
       7. A power tool comprising:
 a housing including a motor housing portion and a front housing portion coupled to the motor housing portion; 
 a motor supported within the motor housing portion, the motor including an output shaft defining an axis, the output shaft having a shoulder; 
 a fan coupled for co-rotation with the output shaft; 
 an end cap removably coupled to the motor housing portion opposite the front housing portion; 
 an end plate removably coupled to a rear side of the end cap; 
 a bearing configured to support the output shaft for rotation about the axis, wherein the bearing includes an inner race coupled to the output shaft and an outer race coupled to the end cap; 
 an anvil extending from the front housing portion; and 
 a drive assembly configured to convert torque from the output shaft into a striking rotational force on the anvil, 
 wherein the end cap includes a bearing retainer with a first wall extending parallel to the axis and opposed second and third walls extending transverse to the axis, 
 wherein the first wall engages a radial side of the outer race of the bearing to radially secure the bearing, 
 wherein the second and third walls engage opposite axial sides of the outer race of the bearing, and the shoulder engages the inner race of the bearing, to axially secure the bearing. 
 
     
     
       8. The power tool of  claim 7 , wherein the bearing is insert molded within the bearing retainer. 
     
     
       9. The power tool of  claim 7 , wherein the fan includes a recess in which the bearing retainer is at least partially received such that the bearing retainer and the bearing overlap the fan in a radial direction of the output shaft. 
     
     
       10. The power tool of  claim 7 , wherein the end cap includes an aperture through which the bearing is accessible. 
     
     
       11. The power tool of  claim 7 , wherein the first wall, the second wall, and the third wall are integral portions of the end cap. 
     
     
       12. A power tool comprising:
 a housing including a removable end cap defining a rear end of the housing and an end plate removably coupled to a rear side of the end cap; 
 a motor supported within the housing, the motor including an output shaft defining an axis; 
 a fan coupled for co-rotation with the output shaft, the fan including a recess; and 
 a bearing configured to support the output shaft for rotation about the axis, the bearing positioned between the end cap and the fan and including a rear surface facing the end cap and a front surface facing the fan, 
 wherein the end cap includes a bearing retainer with a first wall extending parallel to the axis and opposed second and third walls extending transverse to the axis, the first wall engaged with a radial side of the bearing to radially secure the bearing, 
 wherein the second and third walls engage opposite axial sides of the bearing to axially secure the bearing, and 
 wherein the bearing retainer extends axially beyond the front surface of the bearing and into the recess of the fan. 
 
     
     
       13. The power tool of  claim 12 , further comprising a gear assembly including a plurality of planet gears meshed with a pinion of the motor. 
     
     
       14. The power tool of  claim 12 , further comprising an anvil extending from a front end of the housing.